The Games Way opening walk – start times and places

Here is the itinerary for the opening walk of The Games Way. If everything goes to plan (…and what could possibly go wrong?!), this is where we will be walking each day.

If you are on Twitter, you may want to follow @walk2012 so I can provide any last minute updates. I will be trying to keep this site and facebook up to date with our progress, but opportunities to get online may be limited, so I will prioritise Twitter.

I have got printed copies of The Games Way route guide – many thanks to the lovely folk at Banner Managed Communication – and I will be bringing these to the first day. If you are signed up for the walk and I’ve got your address then I will try to get one in the post to you tomorrow.

Itinerary

Stage 0: Launch party

Friday 27th July 2012
19:00 at The Ship Inn, Weymouth harbour

Stage 1: Weymouth to Durdle Door, 14 miles

Saturday 28th July 2012
09:30 opposite The Ferry Bridge pub, Portland Road
(alternatively 10:15 to 10:30 at the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth sea front)
Weymouth has a train station – much better than driving.
Durdle Door / Lulworth Cove are difficult for public transport, so I think lift sharing / taxi sharing will be advisable if you aren’t staying.

Stage 2: Durdle Door to Wareham, 15 miles

Sunday 29th July 2012
09:30 Lulworth Heritage Centre – car park
Wareham has a good train service on the Weymouth – Bournemouth line.

Stage 3: Wareham to Wimborne, 18 miles

Monday 30th July 2012
09:30 On the bridge by the Old Granary, Wareham
Wimborne doesn’t have trains, but there are frequent buses to Poole and Bournemouth.

Stage 4: Wimborne to Linwood, 17 miles

Tuesday 31st July 2012
09:30 Oakley Hill, Wimborne – by the Castlemans Trailway and FP30.
There is no public transport in this bit of the New Forest, but there is a good taxi service to Ringwood.

Stage 5: Linwood to Romsey, 18 miles

Wednesday 1st August 2012
09:30 Red Shoot Inn, Linwood
Romsey is on the Salisbury – Southampton train line.

Stage 6: Romsey to Winchester, 14 miles

Thursday 2nd August 2012
09:30 Romsey train station
(alternatively, around 10:30 Megana Way, Braishfield – just before we enter Ampfield Woods)
Winchester has an excellent train service.

Stage 7: Winchester to Bishop’s Sutton, 10 miles

Friday 3rd August 2012
09:30 by the war memorial statue of a soldier outside Winchester Cathedral
Alresford, just before Bishop’s Sutton is on the Watercress train line to Alton and beyond.

Stage 8: Bishop’s Sutton to Bentley, 17 miles

Saturday 4th August 2012
09:30 The Ship Inn, Bishop’s Sutton
(alternatively, about 10:30 St Nicholas Church in Ropley)
Bentley has a train station connected to Alton and Farnham.

Stage 9: Bentley to Puttenham, 12 miles

Sunday 5th August 2012
09:30 The Star Inn, Bentley
There is no train station but you can get a bus from Puttenham to Farnham or Guildford.

Stage 10: Puttenham to Weybridge, 17 miles

Monday 6th August 2012
09:30 The Good Intent, Puttenham
(alternatively, 10:30 or so by the wood sculptures in Woodbridge Meadow, Guildford
Weybridge has good train and bus connections.

Stage 11: Weybridge to Putney Bridge, 15 miles

Tuesday 7th August 2012
09:30 Thames Lock, Weybridge
Putney has buses, underground and overground train stations.

Stage 12: Putney Bridge to Stratford, 17 miles

Wednesday 8th August 2012
09:30 Putney Bridge, Putney
The nearest station is Pudding Mill Lane, but there are several options.